Building my second gaming rig, Need some help and opinions

Mn3MoN1C

Distinguished
Jun 1, 2008
3
0
18,510
Hey guys, I'm finally upgrading my old gaming rig after 4 years. I've set a budget of about 1200 to 1400. As of right now my current parts are:

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

Motherboard:
ASUS P5K SE LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

Video Card:
MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800 GT 512MB

Power Supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply

RAM:
CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2

Case:
RAIDMAX Sagitta 2 ATX-928WB Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

OS:
I plan on installing Win XP

Here are what I still need to choose and would appreciate some additional help on.

1) Hard Drive (Preferably a internal 1TB one)
2) Heat Sink
3) DVD Burner
4) Sound card (Perhaps don't know if it's really necessary)

Any suggestions on my choices or compatibility issues also welcome. :) Thanks.
 

gators1223

Distinguished
Apr 26, 2007
500
0
18,980
Everything looks pretty good

as for the harddrive, Western Digital 1tb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136151

Heatsink: Xigmatek is nice
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Dvd burner: i like this asus one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135163

Sound Card: often unnessicary, i can barely tell the difference between my sound card and onboard sound
but if you want one this is ok http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829271001
 
Processor:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor.
- This is a little out of date, try to consider E8400/Xeon E3110 or Q6600 or something better like Q9300-

Motherboard:
ASUS P5K SE LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
-ASUS P5 X38 is better and the major plus is that you get a HD-Audio soundcard along with the mobo-

Video Card:
MSI NX8800GT 512M OC GeForce 8800 GT 512MB

Power Supply:
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
-For a single GPU (or VGA card) this is too much. 450/500W is enough. The brand that you've chosen is good. 750W is made for double VGAs (SLI/crossfire)-

RAM:
CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2.
-32 bit XP can only read 3.2GB, consider a 64 bit OS for 4GB optimum usage-

Case:
RAIDMAX Sagitta 2 ATX-928WB Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
-Coolermaster cm690 is the best below $100 or get a Antec 900 that is a little pricy. But it is your choice-

Samsung DVD-RW-drives are good. ASUS's drives sucks!

HDD Seagate 7200.11 32MB (500GB, 750GB or 1TB)

CPU fan : Zalman cnps 9700 LED.

 
To : RyanS 2000
Did you know that E8400 and Xeon E3110 are the same? (Search here in tomshardware'S forum for further informations)
Just find the best deal between E8400 and E3110. Sometime you can find that E3110 is cheaper than E8400.
 

Mn3MoN1C

Distinguished
Jun 1, 2008
3
0
18,510
I do a lot of video editing so someone suggested getting a quad core. Is it worth it and any compatible suggestions? I appreciate the help guys.
 

Mn3MoN1C

Distinguished
Jun 1, 2008
3
0
18,510
It won't let me edit my post for some reason..but ok.

Here are some of my new part choices.

DVD Burner:
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe

Hard Drive:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31000340AS 1TB 7200 RPM

Power Supply:
Thermaltake W0093RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Version Power Supply

Also, someone told me that since I'm not overclocking, my heatsink might be a little too much. With that is the Zalman cnps 9700 LED too much as well?

Edit: Ok so my main machine seems to be on it's last legs meaning I have to get this order list together and shipped quick. I've swapped out the mobo and processor for the ones below. Any final thoughts?

Motherboard:
ASUS P5E LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard

Processor:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
 
OK..What are you witing for?
Only one last critic and I am finish. Thermaltake PSU? The Brands Corsair, Tagan, Enermax, Antec, and Silverstone are much better. And stay with 500W for without OC and 1 GPU.

I say pick a better PSU and..Go build your baby!